The City of Harare has unveiled ambitious new plans to overhaul its public transport system, announcing a phased ban on commuter omnibuses (kombis) and an immediate crackdown on pirate taxis (mushikashika). These measures form part of a comprehensive 20-year urban master plan designed to modernise infrastructure, ease traffic congestion, and improve road safety across the capital.
Outlined in Harare’s 2025–2045 Master Plan, the strategy aims to transition the city away from its current chaotic transport model, which officials say is unsustainable. The plan specifically cites kombis and pirate taxis as major contributors to worsening traffic congestion, rising accident rates, and the rapid deterioration of roads due to unregulated operations and reckless driving.
“Policy 109: Ban commuter omnibuses in Harare within the next 3 years. Policy 110: Ban pirate taxis (mushikashika) in Harare with immediate effect,” the document states.
The city’s current transport model evolved from the deregulation era of the early 1990s, when private players were allowed to operate alongside the state-run Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) under the Economic Structural Adjustment Programme (ESAP). However, authorities now say this deregulated approach has spiralled into an unmanageable and unsafe system.
An estimated 50% of Harare residents depend on public transport services—including kombis, buses, and pirate taxis—while 28.5% use private vehicles and 16.9% walk. This reliance has raised concerns about how the city plans to accommodate displaced commuters once the proposed bans take effect.
Transport experts and civil society groups have expressed scepticism over the feasibility of the plan, particularly the kombi ban, warning that a poorly executed transition could exacerbate the city’s mobility crisis.
Zimbabwe Union for Drivers and Conductors president Frederick Maguramhinga criticised the approach, warning that overly aggressive enforcement would create more harm than good.
Harare Plans Sweeping Transport Reforms: Kombis and Pirate Taxis to Be Phased Out
“If the master plan is implemented with the same aggressive tactics used before, we’ll face even bigger problems. Kombis are the backbone of public transport in many African cities and can’t simply be banned without viable, scalable alternatives,” Maguramhinga said.
He added that mass transit systems touted by the city do not yet have the capacity to replace the kombi fleet. “People can’t wait five hours just to travel five or seven kilometres. The buses currently available won’t serve the entire commuting public.”
Passengers Association of Zimbabwe president Tafadzwa Goliath echoed similar concerns. He urged the city to prioritise repairing basic infrastructure—including public toilets and functional bus ranks—before attempting to eliminate existing transport options.
“The idea might seem progressive, but the reality on the ground paints a different picture. Many of our bus termini are in disrepair, and facilities like toilets are virtually unusable. Until these are addressed, banning kombis is premature and unrealistic,” said Goliath.
The master plan also targets other informal transport models, such as three-wheeled taxis, which are to be banned entirely. Ride-hailing services like Vaya and Bolt will now be subject to stricter oversight, with requirements to submit GPS data and monthly ridership statistics. Non-compliance could result in loss of operating licenses.
“Three-wheeled taxis should not be allowed to operate or move on Harare roads as a means of public transport,” the plan states. “All cab-hailing platforms must submit trip data to the urban planning director. Failure to comply will result in an operating ban.”
Further proposals include lobbying the central government to return motor vehicle licensing to the City of Harare, and ensuring that Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) funds are distributed in proportion to the number of vehicles registered in the city.
The plan also acknowledges significant weaknesses in Harare’s urban transport infrastructure. It highlights poorly maintained bus ranks, unregulated pick-up and drop-off points, and the lack of designated zones, all of which worsen congestion in the central business district (CBD).
“There are no clearly marked drop-off points in CBD bus termini. At some ranks, multiple entry and exit points make traffic control nearly impossible,” the report notes.
Additionally, the plan points out the underdevelopment of non-motorised transport infrastructure and cultural stigma surrounding cycling and walking. Poor road design and safety concerns deter residents from adopting these sustainable alternatives.
“There’s a social stigma around walking and cycling in Harare, with many associating it with poverty,” the plan observes. “But with the right investment in infrastructure and public awareness, this mindset can be shifted.”
Despite the bold vision, questions remain about the city’s capacity to execute such sweeping changes. Harare has long struggled with enforcement, coordination, and consistent service delivery, making the success of the plan dependent on major improvements in institutional capacity and public engagement.
Whether the city can turn its vision of a safer, cleaner, and more efficient transport system into reality within the projected timelines remains to be seen. However, what’s clear is that Harare’s leadership is signalling a break with the past—and a new determination to restore order to its roads.
